Multiple mode digital X-ray imaging system

ABSTRACT

A multiple mode digital X-ray imaging system providing for preprocessing “binning” of analog pixel signals from a detector array by selectively summing, within the detector array, adjacent pixel charges on a row-by-row basis and selectively summing, within detector array readout circuits, the previously summed pixel charges (by rows) on a column-by-column basis. An array, or mapping, of “defective pixel” flags is used to identify defective pixels within the detector array, with such flags being added to, or inserted into, the incoming data stream for dynamic processing along with the incoming pixel data. A buffer and filter is used to perform still image capture during the radiographic mode of operation and to recursively filter incoming data frames during the fluoroscopic mode of operation by summing a scaled amount of pixel data from prior data frames with a scaled amount of incoming pixel data from the present data frame.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/056,926 which was converted to provisional status from U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 08/753,799, which was filed on Nov.29, 1996, and entitled “Multiple Mode Digital X-Ray Imaging System”, andis a divisional application from Ser. No. 09/309,725, filed May 11, 1999now U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,750.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to radiation imaging systems, and inparticular, to solid state X-ray radiation imaging systems capable ofoperating in multiple detection and display modes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The use of X-ray radiation has become a valuable and widespread tool inmedical diagnoses and treatments. In film radiography, a burst ofX-rays, after passing through the body, is recorded on high resolutionX-ray film. In fluoroscopy, an image intensifier tube converts X-rayradiation to a video signal for viewing and recording interior bodyactivity as a video image.

Film radiography is commonly used due to its good spatial resolution,high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), large detection area and low cost.However, developing exposed X-ray film typically takes a minimum ofninety seconds which can be too long in emergency situations. Further,the relatively low dynamic range of X-ray film can result in under- orover-exposed images and, therefore, necessitate additional exposureswhich increase the aforementioned time delay as well as the X-ray dosagereceived by the patient

The image intensifier tube used in fluoroscopy has a greater exposurelatitude than X-ray film, but also has a more limited active detectionarea and lower spatial resolution. The lower spatial resolutionassociated with the total active area is somewhat mitigated in that theimage intensifier tubes allow magnification of the central imageportion, thereby providing a means to enhance visual details. However,the image intensifier tube is typically heavy, bulky and expensive, andcan introduce image distortion which can only be partially removedduring post processing.

A number of alternative X-ray imaging technologies have been developed.For example, one alternative, known as computed radiography, involvesthe use of a photostimulable phosphor plate which has the same physicalappearance as a standard X-ray film cassette and provides good spatialresolution, SNR and dynamic range. However, after exposure to X-rays,the photostimulable phosphor plate must be scanned with a laser systemwhich is large and expensive, and the readout process is just as slow asthe development of film.

Another alternative which provides good spatial resolution and dynamicrange, as well as the added advantage of compatibility with real timedigital image processing techniques, involves the use of solid statedetector panels. One such panel uses an amorphous silicon (a-Si)detector array arranged as a two dimensional matrix of pixels, each ofwhich consists of a photosensitive element and a transistor switch. Aswith X-ray film cassettes, the detector array is covered with ascintillation layer to convert impinging X-rays into visible light forthe photosensitive elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An X-ray imaging system in accordance with the present invention iscapable of operating in multiple imaging modes, such as radiographic andfluoroscopic, while providing spatial resolutions, SNRs and dynamicranges which can be selectively optimized to the selected mode ofoperation.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the combining ofpixel information collected by the detector array, i.e., “pixelbinning,” is performed by selectively combining one portion of the pixelinformation within the detector array and selectively combining theremainder of the pixel information within the circuits fed by the outputof the detector array. Such pixel binning is preferably analog in natureand is performed prior to any digitizing of the pixel signals, therebyproviding for a higher SNR, and, importantly, reducing the bandwidthrequirements for the digital electronics. More specifically, a multiplemode X-ray detector system for supporting multiple X-ray image displaymodes by providing X-ray image signals having selectable spatialresolutions includes a detector array and a group of detector arrayreceiver circuits. The detector array is configured to receive a groupof detector control signals and in accordance therewith receive andconvert X-ray photons corresponding to a two-dimensional image into afirst group of image signals representing a first two-dimensional arraywhich includes a first group of rows and a first group of columns ofpixels which together correspond to the two-dimensional image and whichindividually correspond to respective portions of the two-dimensionalimage. The detector array provides, in accordance with the detectorcontrol signals, a second group of image signals representing a secondtwo-dimensional array which includes a second group of rows and thefirst group of columns of super pixels which selectively representrespective individual ones or multiple adjacent ones of the first groupof rows of pixels and respective individual ones of the first group ofcolumns of pixels, respectively. The detector array receiver circuits,coupled to the detector array, are configured to receive a group ofreceiver control signals and in accordance therewith receive and combinethe second group of image signals and in accordance therewith provide athird plurality of image signals representing a third two-dimensionalarray which includes the second group of rows and a second group ofcolumns of super pixels which selectively represent respectiveindividual ones of the second group of rows of super pixels andrespective individual ones or multiple adjacent ones of the first groupof columns of super pixels, respectively.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, data flagsare used to identify defective pixels within the detector array and areinserted into the data stream collected from the detector array fordynamic processing along with the pixel data. More specifically, a dataprocessing system for processing a serial stream of multiple bit datasets which represent an array of pixels corresponding to atwo-dimensional image including correcting for defective pixelsindividually or in groups includes a data processing circuit and a dataselection circuit. The data processing circuit is configured to receiveand process together a plurality of successive sets of image data with acorresponding plurality of successive sets of correction data and inaccordance therewith provide a plurality of successive sets of correctedimage data. The plurality of successive sets of image data represents aplurality of pixels corresponding to a two-dimensional image, theplurality of successive sets of correction data represents a pluralityof correction factors, each one of the plurality of correction factorscorresponds to a respective one of the plurality of pixels and each oneof the plurality of successive sets of correction data includes a datasubset which indicates whether the respective one of the plurality ofpixels is defective. The data selection circuit, coupled to the dataprocessing circuit, is configured to receive and select betweenindividual ones of the plurality of successive sets of corrected imagedata and individual ones of the corresponding plurality of successivesets of correction data and in accordance therewith provide a pluralityof successive sets of selected data. An individual one of the pluralityof successive sets of selected data includes a corresponding individualone of the plurality of successive sets of correction data when the datasubset indicates that the corresponding respective one of the pluralityof pixels is defective, and the individual one of the plurality ofsuccessive sets of selected data includes a corresponding one of theplurality of successive sets of corrected image data when the datasubset does not indicate that the corresponding respective one of theplurality of pixels is defective.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a databuffer and filter is used to perform still image capture duringradiographic imaging and to recursively filter incoming image dataduring fluoroscopic imaging. More specifically, a digital data bufferand filter for selectively storing image pixel data, combining newincoming image pixel data with previously stored image pixel data andproviding such combined image pixel data for display thereof in a stillimage mode or an image motion mode includes a data scaling and summingcircuit and a data memory circuit. The data scaling and summing circuitis configured to receive and scale an input data signal, receive andscale a stored data sum signal and sum said scaled input data signal andsaid scaled stored data sum signal and in accordance therewith provide adata sum signal. The input data signal is scaled in accordance with afirst scaling factor and the stored data sum signal is scaled inaccordance with a second scaling factor. The input data signal includesa plurality of successive sets of image data, and each one of theplurality of successive sets of image data includes a plurality of pixeldata with active and inactive data states and which corresponds to atwo-dimensional image having a two-dimensional array including aplurality of rows and a plurality of columns of pixels which togethercorrespond to the two-dimensional image and which individuallycorrespond to respective portions of the two-dimensional image. The datamemory circuit, coupled to the data scaling and summing circuit, isconfigured to receive and selectively store the data sum signal andprovide the stored data sum signal. The data scaling and summing circuitand the data memory circuit cooperatively operate in one of a pluralityof operational modes during reception of the plurality of successivesets of image data. In a first one of the plurality of operational modes(e.g., in fluoroscopic mode), the first scaling factor has a value whichis between zero and unity, and the second scaling factor has a valuewhich equals a difference between unity and the first scaling factorvalue. In a second one of the plurality of operational modes (e.g., inradiographic mode): the first scaling factor has a value which isinitially unity when a first one of the plurality of successive sets ofimage data is in the inactive data state, remains unity when asubsequent second one of the plurality of successive sets of image datais in the active data state and becomes zero when a further subsequentthird one of the plurality of successive sets of image data is in theinactive data state; and the second scaling factor has a value which isinitially zero, becomes unity when the subsequent second one of theplurality of successive sets of image data is in the active data stateand remains unity thereafter.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beunderstood upon consideration of the following detailed description ofthe invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an X-ray imaging system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an X-ray detector cassette foran X-ray imaging system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the detector array of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the array driver circuitassemblies of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the receiver circuit assembly ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the readout circuits in thereceiver circuit assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic diagram of several adjacentpreamplifier circuits in the readout circuit of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the portion of the computer andcontrol system of FIG. 1 in which the image data is processed fordisplay in accordance with the selected mode of operation.

FIG. 9 represents the format of the data correction instruction wordused by the decode/select and pixel data averaging stages of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of how the grouping of defective pixelswithin the detector array determines the selection of north/south oreast/west pixel data averaging.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the pixel data averaging stagesof FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the data buffer stage of FIG.8.

FIG. 13 is a timing diagram illustrating the relative timing and valuesof the data scaling factors during a radiographic mode of operation.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of an alternative embodiment ofthe data buffer stage of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an X-ray imaging system 10 in accordance with thepresent invention includes a detector cassette 12, a computer andcontrol system 14, a user interface 16, a fluoroscopic display 18 a anda radiographic display 18 b, interconnected substantially as shown. Auser controls the system 10 by way of a user interface 16 (e.g.,graphical user interface display, keyboard, mouse, etc.) whichcommunicates with the computer and control system 14. Accordingly, thecomputer and control system 14 generates control signals 13 a for thedetector cassette 12 which provides image data signals 13 b in return.(As desired, one display monitor could be used to selectively displayboth fluoroscopic and, radiographic images, as well as the graphicaluser interface display image, e.g., all images could be displayedsimultaneously in a “windowed” format, or either a fluoroscopic image ora radiographic image could be displayed along with a pull down menu bar,which menu bar constitutes the graphical user interface providing forselection of fluoroscopic or radiographic imaging.)

Following processing of such image data, the computer and control system14 provides fluoroscopic image data 15 a or radiographic image data 15 bfor display on a fluoroscopic display 18 a or a radiographic display 18b, respectively, depending upon the selected mode of operation. Thefluoroscopic display 18 a preferably employs a phosphor which has arelatively short persistence time, thereby reducing unwanted ghostimages when observing motion in the sequence of displayed images. Theradiographic display 18 b preferably employs a phosphor which yields abluish tint to gray levels and has a relatively long persistence time,thereby replicating the bluish tint typically found in standard medicalX-ray film images and reducing unwanted flicker in the displayed image.

Referring to FIG. 2, the detector cassette 12 is similar in externalappearance to the typical cassette which contains standard medical X-rayfilm and is, therefore, highly mobile and easy to use as required for aradiographic mode of operation. A scintillation layer 20, e.g., ofcesium iodide (CsI), absorbs and converts impinging X-ray photons tovisible light photons for detection by photosensitive elements withinthe detector array 22, e.g., of amorphous silicon (a-Si). The thicknessof the scintillation layer 20 is selected so as to absorb sufficientX-ray photons and produce sufficient visible photons so as to generatean adequate SNR for fluoroscopic operation. Similarly, the columns, or“needles,” of the crystalline CsI are selected so as to have diameterssufficiently small to support the spatial resolution sampling desiredfor radiographic operation.

The detector array 22 is designed in accordance with well knowntechniques into a two dimensional array of microscopic squares referredto as picture elements, or “pixels.” Each pixel is composed of anaddressable photosensitive element, such as a photodiode and switchingtransistor combination. As discussed in more detail below, each pixel isaccessed in accordance with drive signals from off-array driver circuitassemblies 26 a, 26 b which provide addressing control signals. Inaccordance with well known techniques, the lateral dimensions of thephotodiodes are made sufficiently small to provide the desired spatialresolution imaging for radiographic operation and the capacitance of thephotodiodes is designed to be sufficiently large to provide the desiredsignal handling capacity for accommodating the largest signal producedduring radiographic operation.

The pixel data accessed by the driver circuits 26 are read out by areceiver, or readout, circuit assembly 28, as discussed in more detailbelow. The receiver circuit assembly 28 and detector array 22 aremounted on opposing sides of a base plate 24. (The receiver circuitassembly 28 is placed beneath the array 22 so as to minimize the lateralsize of the detector cassette 12 and thereby make the detector cassette12 approximately the same size as a film cassette. If so desired, thedriver circuits 26 can also be placed beneath the array 22.)

Referring to FIG. 3, the detector array 22, as noted above, is composedof a two dimensional array, or matrix, of photosensitive pixels 30which, in a preferred embodiment, include a switching transistor 32 anda photodiode 34. The anode of the photodiode 34 is biased by a biasingvoltage 35 to establish a capacitance for storing electrical chargeswhich accumulate due to the reception of incident light 21 from thescintillation layer 20 (FIG. 2). When the pixel 30 is accessed, a rowaddress signal 31 from the array driver circuit 26 (discussed in moredetail below) drives the gate of the switching transistor 32 (TFT),thereby providing a column data signal 33 representing the stored chargefrom the photodiode 34. This signal 33 is received and buffered by acharge sensitive amplifier within the receiver circuit assembly 28(discussed in more detail below).

Each row address signal 31 is asserted for a predetermined period oftime, referred to as “line time.” During assertion of each row addresssignal 31, the signal 33 from each pixel along that row is transmittedvia the column data lines to the receiver circuit assembly 28 where thesignal 33 on each data line is received and buffered by a correspondingcharge sensitive amplifier (discussed in more detail below). Hence, anentire row of image data is captured in one line time period. With eachsubsequent line time period, a subsequent row of image data is captured.At the end of a “frame time” period, the entire image has been captured.In this manner, each pixel contained in the entire active detection areais sampled individually.

Based upon the foregoing, and in accordance with the more detaileddiscussions of the driver 26 and receiver 28 circuit assemblies whichfollow, it can be seen that the pixel array supports multiple modes ofoperation. For example, during radiographic operation, the pixel data issampled on a pixel-by-pixel basis as discussed above. However, duringfluoroscopic operation, pixel data access can be accelerated, albeitwith a reduction in spatial resolution. This can be done by combining,or “binning,” multiple pixels to produce “super pixels.” For example, atwo-by-two pixel subset in which two rows and columns of pixels arecombined can be created by addressing two adjacent rows and two adjacentcolumns of pixels at one time, with the driver circuit assembly 26performing the simultaneous row addressing and the receiver circuitassembly 28 performing the column line signal combining. Hence, whilethe spatial resolution is reduced accordingly, significantly less timewill be required to capture the image, thereby allowing fluoroscopicimaging to be performed.

This use of super pixels can also be done in a more selective manner.For example, image acquisition in a fluoroscopic magnification mode canbe performed when only a portion of the active detection area is ofinterest. During such operation, the rows outside the region of interestare addressed at a rapid rate or skipped entirely, while the rows withinthe region of interest are addressed at a slower rate. The overall timeto sequence through or skip past all of the rows, i.e., the frame time,can remain equal to the frame time associated with the fluoroscopicnormal mode. However, due to the increased time available within theregion of interest, the super pixels within such region can be reducedin size, thereby increasing the spatial resolution. (Appropriatecombining of column line signals is also used accordingly.) Hence, thesmaller the size of the super pixel in the region of interest, thehigher the apparent magnification. (A smaller area of the detector iscaptured when operating in fluoroscopic magnification mode than whenoperating in fluoroscopic normal mode, but the display area remains thesame, thereby producing an apparent magnification.)

Referring to FIG. 4, the driver circuit assembly 26 includes a localcontroller 40 for receiving control signals 13 aa from the computer andcontrol system 14 (FIG. 1), plus a series of gate drivers 42 forproviding the row addressing signals 31. These gate drivers 42 can beoperated in the manner of shift registers or, alternatively, beindividually programmed as desired according to the mode of operationusing the control signals 41 from the local controller 40. For example,during radiographic operation, the driver circuits 42 can be programmedsuch that the row 1 addressing signal 31(1) is asserted while theremaining row addressing signals are de-asserted. Immediately followingthe next line synchronization cycle, the row 1 signal is de-asserted andthe row 2 signal is asserted, while the remaining row signals arede-asserted. This successive assertion and de-assertion of signals isrepeated until all rows have been addressed. During fluoroscopicoperation, the foregoing assertion and de-assertion sequence isrepeated, with the exception that multiple adjacent row address signalsare asserted at one time for creating super pixels, as discussed above.

Referring to FIG. 5, the receiver circuit assembly 28 includes a localcontroller 50 for receiving control signals 13 ab from the computer andcontrol system 14 (FIG. 1) and generating local control signals 51. Inaccordance with its local control signals 51 a, a number of readoutcircuits 52 (discussed in more detail below), the number of whichdepends upon the number of columns to be read out from the detectorarray 22, receives the column data signals 33. The outputs 53 from thereadout circuits 52 are buffered by respective transimpedance amplifiers54. These transimpedance amplifiers 54 are controlled by local controlsignals 51 b for purposes of controlling their offset and gaincharacteristics (discussed in more detail below). The buffered columndata signals 55 are converted by analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) 56.The resulting digitized column data signals 57 are then multiplexed by amultiplexor. The resulting multiplexed data signals 59 are buffered by adata transmitter 60 for transmission to the computer and control system14.

The control signals 51 b for the transimpedance amplifiers 54 are usedto selectively optimize the offset and gain characteristics of theamplifiers 54. This allows the amplifiers 54 to be biased to match therespective output signal ranges of the amplifiers 54 to the input signalranges of the corresponding ADCs 56.

Referring to FIG. 6, the readout circuits 52 collectively includemultiple input preamplifiers 64, pipelined sample and hold circuits 66and output multiplexors 68, interconnected substantially as shown. Thecontrol signals 51 a from the local controller 50 (FIG. 5) control thepreamplifiers 64, pipelined sample and hold circuits 66 and amultiplexor controller 62 which, in turn, controls the multiplexors 68via multiplexor control signals 63. The preamplifiers 64 receive thecolumn data signals 33 with charge sensitive amplifiers and provide theaforementioned binning capability for creating super pixels (inconjunction with the multiple row addressing capability of the arraydriver circuit 26 (FIG. 4) as discussed above). The charge sensitiveamplifiers are discussed in more detail in copending, commonly assignedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/758,538, entitled “Charge SensitiveAmplifier With High Common Mode Signal Rejection,” filed Nov. 29, 1996,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The pixelbinning capability provided by the preamplifiers is discussed in moredetail below in connection with FIG. 7.)

The buffered output signals 65 aa, 65 ba, 65 ca, from the preamplifiers64, are sampled using correlated double sampling by the pipelined sampleand hold circuits 66 in accordance with their respective control signals51 ab. These pipelined sample and hold circuits 66 are described in moredetail in copending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/758,536, entitled “Pipelined Sample and Hold Circuit With CorrelatedDouble Sampling,” filed Nov. 29, 1996, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

The sampled data signals 67 are multiplexed by their respectivemultiplexors 68 to provide the final output signal 53. Thesemultiplexors 68 operate in an analog current mode and are described inmore detail in copending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 08/758,528, entitled “Current Mode Analog Signal Multiplexor,” Nov.29, 1996, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIG. 7, the aforementioned pixel binning capability withrespect to the column data can be described as follows. For purposes ofthis explanation, the second 64 b, third 64 c and fourth 64 dpreamplifier circuits are illustrated to represent the interconnectionamong adjacent preamplifiers 64. Internal to each preamplifier 64 is theaforementioned charge sensitive amplifier 70 which receives the columndata signal 33. The buffered column data signal 71 is coupled by aseries coupling capacitor 72 to a summing node 78 for selectively beingsummed with the buffered and capacitively coupled column data signalfrom its adjacent preamplifier circuit 64. For example, if one-by-twosuper pixels were being used, then the third and fourth pixels would bebinned together by appropriately asserting and de-asserting the controlsignals in signal sets 51 aac and 51 aad (and their inverse equivalentsvia inverters 80 c and 80 d) so that switches 74 c, 74 e and 76 d areopened and switches 74 d and 76 c are closed. Accordingly, the bufferedand capacitively coupled data signal 65 db from the fourth preamplifier64 d is summed with that of the third preamplifier 64 c at its summingmode 78 c for outputting as binned pixel data signal 65 ca.

Referring to FIG. 8, that portion 14 a of the computer and controlsystem 14 (FIG. 1) responsible for processing the image data for displayin accordance with the selected mode of operation functions as follows.The sampled image data 13 ba from the detector cassette 12 (FIG. 1) isdetected by a data detection stage 100. The data detection stage 100monitors selected portions of the frame of incoming data and, inaddition to passing the incoming data 101 a on to the next stage,generates a data present status signal 101 b for use elsewhere withinthe system (as discussed in more detail below).

The buffered sampled image data 101 a is corrected by an offset and gaincorrection stage 104 using offset and gain correction data 103 b, 103 cstored in a memory 102. Such offset and gain correction data 103 b, 103c can be acquired in accordance with well known techniques. For example,the offset correction data, used to correct for the effects of leakagecurrents within the detector array 22 (FIG. 2), can be collected byprocessing dark frames of pixel data (no X-ray photons received) andinputted as a portion of pixel mapped data 103 a to the memory 102. Thegain correction data, used for normalizing the gain profile of thedetector array 22, can be collected by processing frames of pixel datagenerated when receiving an unobstructed X-ray field, and inputted as aportion of pixel mapped data 103 a to the memory 102. Such data is usedto correct for variations in pixel quantum efficiency and the twodimensional gain profile of the detector array 22 together with itsassociated receiver circuitry 28.

In addition to the offset and gain information, one of the correctiondata words 103 c (e.g., corresponding to that normally used for gaincorrection data) also includes pixel flag data and pixel data averaginginstruction bits which identify, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, whichpixels, if any, are defective and the nature of such defect and,therefore, require the use of either north/south or east/west averaging.Such pixel flag data can be collected in accordance with well knowntechniques. For example, defective pixels can be identified whilecollecting the offset and/or gain correction data.

Referring to FIG. 9, the format of the correction data word 103 ccorresponding to a bad pixel is as shown. (It should be understood thatother selected bits within the word 103 c can be used, as desired). Themost significant bit is used to identify the state of the pixel, i.e.,whether the pixel represents valid data or is defective and, therefore,represents invalid data. Other bits, e.g., bits 10 and 5, are used toindicate whether north/south or east/west averaging is to be performed.When the pixel data flag identifies the pixel as containing valid data,the remaining bits contain the actual offset or gain correctioninformation to be used by the offset and gain correction stage 104.

Referring to FIG. 10, the decision criteria for determining whethernorth/south or east/west pixel data averaging is to be performed can beexplained as follows. In this example, a group of four defective pixelsDP1-DP4 have been identified in columns X−1 through X+1 and rows Y−1 andY, as shown. For this configuration of defective pixels, the datacorrection words 103 c corresponding to these defective pixels, inaddition to containing asserted pixel flags identifying these pixels asbeing defective, will contain asserted north/south and east/westaveraging instruction bits. For defective pixels DP2 and DP4, anorth/south averaging will be performed using the pixel data immediatelyabove and below in columns X−1 and X+1. Since this portion of columnsX−1 and X+1 contain “good” pixel data, the defective pixels DP1 and DP3will be processed using east/west averaging. It is preferred that aneast/west average be followed by a north/south and thereafter followedby a second east/west average to allow different arrangements ofdefective pixels to be corrected.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the offset and gain correction stage 104processes the incoming data 101 a on a pixel-by-pixel basis inaccordance with the correction data 103 b, 103 c regardless of whetherany such data is identified as originating from a bad pixel. Theresulting corrected data 105 is then provided, along with the onecorrection data word 103 c to a decode/select circuit 106. If, accordingto the pixel flag data within the correction data word 103 c from thememory 102, the corrected pixel data 105 did not originate from adefective pixel, the decode/select circuit 106 provides the correctedpixel data 105 as its output signal 107. If, however, the pixel flagdata identify the “corrected data” 105 as having originated from adefective pixel, the decode/select circuit 106 provides the correctiondata 103 c from the memory 102 as its output signal 107 for dynamicprocessing along with other valid corrected pixel data by the remainderof this processing section 14 a.

The data 107 from the decode/select stage 106 is then processed, inaccordance with the north/south and east/west averaging instruction bitsdiscussed above, by a north/south averaging circuit 108 or an east/westaveraging circuit 110. For example, if the selected data 107 contains aninstruction bit identifying north/south averaging as being required, thenorth/south averaging stage 108 produces appropriately averaged data 109which is then simply passed through the east/west averaging stage 110without further processing. However, if the selected data 107 containsan instruction bit identifying east/west averaging as being required,the selected data 107 is simply passed through the north/south averagingstage 108 and presented to the east/west averaging stage 110 forappropriate processing therein.

Referring to FIG. 11, the averaging function performed by thenorth/south 108 and east/west 110 averaging stages can be described asfollows. The incoming data 107/109 is inputted continuously to a delayline 120 (e.g., a shift register). For the north/south averaging stage108, this delay line 120 is large enough to contain slightly more thantwo rows of pixel data, while for the east/west averaging stage 110, thedelay line 120 need only be large enough to accommodate three or morepixels worth of data. When a data word 107/109 containing an assertedaveraging instruction bit which corresponds to that particular averagingstage 108/110 is encountered, it is provided as an output signal 121 ato a decode/select stage 124 when it has reached the approximatemidpoint of the delay line 120.

Upon receiving this signal 121 a, the decode/select stage 124,recognizing the instruction, uses the averaged pixel data 123 providedby a data averaging stage 122. (The data averaging operation performedby this stage 122 can be done in accordance with any of several wellknown techniques, e.g., interpolation of selected adjacent pixel data.)If, however, this midpoint signal 121 a from the delay line 120 does notcontain an asserted averaging instruction bit, but, instead, simplycontains normal pixel data, the decode/select stage 124 will ignore theaveraged pixel data 123 constantly being provided by the data averagingstage 122 and simply provide this pixel data signal 121 a as its outputdata signal 109/111.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the final averaged pixel data 111 is thenselectively processed by a data buffer/filter 112. The operation of thisdata buffer filter 112 for the different modes of operation can beexplained as follows with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. A preferredembodiment 112 a of the data buffer/filter 112 includes an adder 130, amemory (e.g., random access memory) 132, two scaling circuits (e.g.,multipliers) 134, 136, and two data registers 138, 140. The memory 132is used to continuously receive and store the output data 113 on aframe-by-frame basis and provide such stored data in a first-in,first-out manner to one of the scaling circuits 136. The data registers138, 140 contain data corresponding to scaling factors _(α) and _(β)scaling the present pixel data 111 and corresponding prior pixel data133 (i.e., from a previous frame), respectively. The data registers 138,140 use the aforementioned data present status signal 101 b, a modecontrol signal 17 a (originating from within the computer and controlsystem 14) and an _(α)/_(β) programming signal 149 for establishing thevalues of the _(α) 139 and _(β) 141 data provided to the scalingcircuits 134, 136. The mode control signal 17 a identifies whether astill or motion image operation is to be performed, while the _(α)/_(β)programming signal 149 can be used to program the actual values for _(α)and _(β).

When operating in a still image (e.g., radiographic) mode, the _(α) data139 and _(β) data 141 are initialized at unity and zero, respectively.When the data present status signal 101 b indicates that valid activedata has begun being received, the _(β) data 141 is switched from zeroto unity. Accordingly, scaled data sets 135 and 137 are equal to thepresent frame pixel data 111 and prior frame pixel data 133,respectively, thereby resulting in frame summation. This summation ofprior and present frames of pixel data is done to generate the completedata set for display and is necessary since all data associated with astill image is generally not captured in a single reading of one frameof data, as represented in FIG. 13. Once the data present status signal101 b has indicated that valid active data is no longer being received,and after one additional frame of data has been collected, the _(α) data138 is reset to zero, while the _(β) data 141 remains at unity.

When operating in a motion image (e.g., fluoroscopic) mode, the presentdata frame scaling factor _(α) 137 is set equal to a predetermined valuebetween zero and unity. Such a value can be established empirically toprovide a video display with the desired characteristics. The prior dataframe scaling factor _(β) 141 is set at a value which is also betweenzero and unity and is equal to 1−_(α). Hence, the output data 113 to beused for display purposes is composed primarily of the present frame ofpixel data summed with a small portion of the prior frame of pixel dataas stored by the memory 132. This has the effect of slightly increasingthe SNR of the displayed frame as compared to the frame as captured bythe detector array 22. (Also, it has the additional effect of smoothingout any observable motion within the displayed image).

Referring again to FIG. 8, the buffered and/or filtered pixel data 113is used to address a lookup table 114 for purposes of mapping the inputpixel data 113 to pixel data 15 a/15 b which is appropriately scaled forthe particular display device being used. Alternatively, this outputstage 114 can include additional circuitry, as desired, to provideactual video signals for directly driving a display monitor.

Referring to FIG. 14, an alternative embodiment 112 b of the databuffer/filter stage 112 can be implemented as shown. (Those elementswhich correspond to those in the embodiment 112 a of FIG. 12 areidentified with the same numeric designators.) This embodiment 112 b canbe used where the _(α) and _(β) scaling factor data has been inserted orencoded in some manner within the incoming data stream 111. Accordingly,a shift register 150 can be used to buffer and delay the actual pixeldata while the _(α) data 151 a and _(β) data 151 b are removed andforwarded on to the scaling circuits 134, 136. An encode logic circuit152 can be used to provide appropriate control signals 153, inaccordance with the mode control signal 17 a, to the shift register 150.

Various other modifications and alterations in the structure and methodof operation of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.Although the invention has been described in connection with specificpreferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention asclaimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. It isintended that the following claims define the scope of the presentinvention and that structures and methods within the scope of theseclaims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus including a data processing systemfor processing a serial stream of multiple bit data sets which representan array of pixels corresponding to a two-dimensional image includingcorrecting for defective pixels individually or in groups, comprising: afirst data processing circuit configured to receive and process togethera plurality of successive sets of image data with a correspondingplurality of successive sets of correction data and in accordancetherewith provide a plurality of successive sets of corrected imagedata, wherein said plurality of successive sets of image data representsa plurality of pixels corresponding to a two-dimensional image, saidplurality of successive sets of correction data represents a pluralityof correction factors, each one of said plurality of correction factorscorresponds to a respective one of said plurality of pixels and each oneof said plurality of successive sets of correction data includes a firstdata subset which indicates whether said respective one of saidplurality of pixels is defective; and a first data selection circuit,coupled to said first data processing circuit, configured to receive andselect between individual ones of said plurality of successive sets ofcorrected image data and individual ones of said corresponding pluralityof successive sets of correction data and in accordance therewithprovide a first plurality of successive sets of selected data, whereinan individual one of said first plurality of successive sets of selecteddata includes a corresponding individual one of said plurality ofsuccessive sets of correction data when said first data subset indicatesthat said corresponding respective one of said plurality of pixels isdefective, and wherein said individual one of said first plurality ofsuccessive sets of selected data includes a corresponding one of saidplurality of successive sets of corrected image data when said firstdata subset does not indicate that said corresponding respective one ofsaid plurality of pixels is defective.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein each one of said plurality of successive sets of correction datafurther includes a second data subset which indicates which one of aplurality of substitute pixel values is to be used for said defectivecorresponding respective one of said plurality of pixels, and furthercomprising: a second data processing circuit, coupled to said first dataselection circuit, configured to receive and store said first pluralityof successive sets of selected data and generate a first set ofsubstitute data, wherein said first set of substitute data represents afirst one of said plurality of substitute pixel values and is computedin accordance with selected ones of said stored first plurality ofsuccessive sets of selected data; and a second data selection circuit,coupled to said second data processing circuit, configured to receiveand select between one of said stored first plurality of successive setsof selected data and said first set of substitute data and in accordancetherewith provide a second plurality of successive sets of selecteddata, wherein an individual one of said second plurality of successivesets of selected data includes said first set of substitute data whensaid second data subset indicates that said first one of said pluralityof substitute pixel values is to be used for said defectivecorresponding respective one of said plurality of pixels, and whereinsaid individual one of said second plurality of successive sets ofselected data includes said one of said stored first plurality ofsuccessive sets of selected data when said second data subset does notindicate that said first one of said plurality of substitute pixelvalues is to be used for said defective corresponding respective one ofsaid plurality of pixels.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein saidsecond data processing circuit comprises: a delay line configured toreceive and store said first plurality of successive sets of selecteddata and in accordance therewith provide a plurality of successivelydelayed sets of selected data, wherein a temporally intermediate one ofsaid plurality of successively delayed sets of selected data is providedas said one of said stored first plurality of successive sets ofselected data; and a data averaging circuit, coupled to said delay line,configured to receive and average first and second ones of saidplurality of successively delayed sets of selected data and inaccordance therewith provide said first set of substitute data, whereinsaid first and second ones of said plurality of successively delayedsets of selected data are temporally precedent and subsequent to saidtemporally intermediate one of said plurality of successively delayedsets of selected data.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:a third data processing circuit, coupled to said second data selectioncircuit, configured to receive and store said second plurality ofsuccessive sets of selected data and generate a second set of substitutedata, wherein said second set of substitute data represents a second oneof said plurality of substitute pixel values and is computed inaccordance with selected ones of said stored second plurality ofsuccessive sets of selected data; and a third data selection circuit,coupled to said third data processing circuit, configured to receive andselect between one of said stored second plurality of successive sets ofselected data and said second set of substitute data and in accordancetherewith provide a third plurality of successive sets of selected data,wherein an individual one of said third plurality of successive sets ofselected data includes said second set of substitute data when saidsecond data subset indicates that said second one of said plurality ofsubstitute pixel values is to be used for said defective correspondingrespective one of said plurality of pixels, and wherein said individualone of said third plurality of successive sets of selected data includessaid one of said stored second plurality of successive sets of selecteddata when said second data subset does not indicate that said second oneof said plurality of substitute pixel values is to be used for saiddefective corresponding respective one of said plurality of pixels. 5.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a data storage circuit,coupled to said first data processing circuit and said first dataselection circuit, configured to store and provide said correspondingplurality of successive sets of correction data.
 6. A method ofprocessing a serial stream of multiple bit data sets which represent anarray of pixels corresponding to a two-dimensional image includingcorrecting for defective pixels individually or in groups, comprisingthe steps of: receiving and processing together a plurality ofsuccessive sets of image data with a corresponding plurality ofsuccessive sets of correction data and in accordance therewithgenerating a plurality of successive sets of corrected image data,wherein said plurality of successive sets of image data represents aplurality of pixels corresponding to a two-dimensional image, saidplurality of successive sets of correction data represents a pluralityof correction factors, each one of said plurality of correction factorscorresponds to a respective one of said plurality of pixels and each oneof said plurality of successive sets of correction data includes a firstdata subset which indicates whether said respective one of saidplurality of pixels is defective; and receiving and selecting betweenindividual ones of said plurality of successive sets of corrected imagedata and individual ones of said corresponding plurality of successivesets of correction data and in accordance therewith generating a firstplurality of successive sets of selected data, wherein an individual oneof said first plurality of successive sets of selected data includes acorresponding individual one of said plurality of successive sets ofcorrection data when said first data subset indicates that saidcorresponding respective one of said plurality of pixels is defective,and wherein said individual one of said first plurality of successivesets of selected data includes a corresponding one of said plurality ofsuccessive sets of correct image data when said first data subset doesnot indicate that said corresponding respective one of said plurality ofpixels is defective.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein each one of saidplurality of successive sets of correction data further includes asecond data subset which indicates which one of a plurality ofsubstitute pixel values is to be used for said defective correspondingrespective one of said plurality of pixels, and further comprising thesteps of: receiving and storing said first plurality of successive setsof selected data and generating a first set of substitute data, whereinsaid first set of substitute data represents a first one of saidplurality of substitute pixel values and is computed in accordance withselected ones of said stored first plurality of successive sets ofselected data; and receiving and selecting between one of said storedfirst plurality of successive sets of selected data and said first setof substitute data and in accordance therewith generating a secondplurality of successive sets of selected data, wherein an individual oneof said second plurality of successive sets of selected data includessaid first set of substitute data when said second data subset indicatesthat said first one of said plurality of substitute pixel values is tobe used for said defective corresponding respective one of saidplurality of pixels, and wherein said individual one of said secondplurality of successive sets of selected data includes said one of saidstored first plurality of successive sets of selected data when saidsecond data subset does not indicate that said first one of saidplurality of substitute pixel values is to be used for said defectivecorresponding respective one of said plurality of pixels.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein said step of receiving and storing said firstplurality of successive sets of selected data and generating a first setof substitute data comprises: receiving and storing said first pluralityof successive sets of selected data and in accordance therewithgenerating a plurality of successively delayed sets of selected data,wherein a temporally intermediate one of said plurality of successivelydelayed sets of selected data is outputted as said one of said storedfirst plurality of successive sets of selected data; and receiving andaveraging first and second ones of said plurality of successivelydelayed sets of selected data and in accordance therewith generatingsaid first set of substitute data, wherein said first and second ones ofsaid plurality of successively delayed sets of selected data aretemporally precedent and subsequent to said temporally intermediate oneof said plurality of successively delayed sets of selected data.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: receiving andstoring said second plurality of successive sets of selected data andgenerating a second set of substitute data, wherein said second set ofsubstitute data represents a second one of said plurality of substitutepixel values and is computed in accordance with selected ones of saidstored second plurality of successive sets of selected data; andreceiving and selecting between one of said stored second plurality ofsuccessive sets of selected data and said second set of substitute dataand in accordance therewith generating a third plurality of successivesets of selected data, wherein an individual one of said third pluralityof successive sets of selected data includes said second set ofsubstitute data when said second data subset indicates that said secondone of said plurality of substitute pixel values is to be used for saiddefective corresponding respective one of said plurality of pixels, andwherein said individual one of said third plurality of successive setsof selected data includes said one of said stored second plurality ofsuccessive sets of selected data when said second data subset does notindicate that said second one of said plurality of substitute pixelvalues is to be used for said defective corresponding respective one ofsaid plurality of pixels.